Pattern Debut: Nevado

We finally got some decent snow yesterday, so it seemed like the perfect time to photograph and finalize my latest design: Nevado.

Nevado, which means "snow-covered" or "snow-capped," is available in 3 sizes, for everyone on your gift list, and knits up quickly in worsted weight--and if you've mastered cabling without a cable needle (which I highly recommend), it knits up even faster. Crown decreases are done in pattern, for a fun detail at the top.

It combines waffle stitch and a wavy 3 stitch cable for a stretchy hat perfect for boys and girls, men and women, and babies of all shapes and sizes.

My sample is knit in Wandering Wool Heights Worsted, in Cinderella, which is delightfully squishy. And you only need 1 skein, which is always a plus.

 Even though JJ doesn't look particularly thrilled about wearing his hat, I'm sure his head is warm, and that's what counts.

To celebrate its debut, Nevado will be half price--just $2.49--through Christmas Day, December 25. Pick it up in my Ravelry shop and use the code MERRYXMAS to snag it at the reduced price.

And stay tuned for a pattern giveaway!

Details 

 

Sizes: Baby (Child, Adult); finished circumference approximately 16 (18, 20)” / 40 (46, 50) cm. 

Gauge: 20 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm, in pattern, lightly stretched.

Yarn: 1 skein Wandering Wool Heights Worsted (100% superwash merino wool; 218 yds/100g) in Cinderella; or 100 (150, 200) yards / 90 (140, 180) m worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn. 

Needles: 1 US 7 / 4.5mm 16” / 40cm circular needle and/or set of DPNs, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Wittle Saturday Wednesday Bound Off Sampler . . . Post

The speed at which the days slip away from me is astounding. I intended to come here and post this on Wittle Wednesday, yet here it is Saturday, and I'm just now sitting down at the computer. But, since I have no Saturday Sampler post prepared, I guess I can just go ahead with JJ's sweater.

My little booger angel turned 10 months old on Monday! So incredible to be closing in on a year already.

He's crawling, chasing the cats, pulling to a stand on anything stable (and not-so-stable), cruising, walking with his walker and determined to crack his head open the instant I turn my back.

To celebrate, I made him wear his finished Coolbreeze cardigan--with sleeves of equal length!--and pose with Christmas lights, which he did not appreciate at all.

Oh well. Just the start of a never-ending parade of things to be done to make mommy happy.

For JJ's sweater, I used a brick red for the main color, and started the chevron pattern with the lightest color and worked back to dark brown. I should've also used the lightest color on the sleeve ribbing, but I wasn't sure I would have enough to finish my cardigan, so I opted for brown.

(And since I still have 4 inches of sleeve to add to my cardi, this was probably a wise choice.)

This was a very straightforward pattern, though as I recall, I thought something was a little off on the final yoke decrease round, it didn't quite seem to fit the established pattern, but I figured it out quickly. The colorwork section is easy to memorize, and though there are LOTS of ends to weave in, it's easy to wind them through and around the slipped stitch strands on the wrong side.

Is this safe? I'm calling child services!

I knit the 12 month size, and barring any major growth spurts (knock on wood), it should last through the winter. Now, in the midst of all the Christmas knitting, I must fix my own cardigan so we can get at least ONE measly photo of us in our coordinating sweaters.

Yippie!

Under the Knitter's Christmas Tree

I have it on good authority that Santa was impressed by my behavior this year (of course!). Just look at the lovely packages he left under the tree for me:

I was so excited to find a set of ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles--I know they were hard to come by, so Santa must've worked overtime to find them. He also included some lovely yarn, and a copy of The Principles of Knitting. And a Namaste Bitty Bag to carry it all in!

And mom and dad got some good advice from Santa, and gave me a Jordana Paige Crafter's Tool Butler!

Will it help me be more organized in 2013? Let's hope so.

And then we have the exciting-yet scary-present:

A new challenge for 2013 (along with learning to use my spinning wheel. And, oh, having a baby.)

I  didn't let all these goodies distract me from WIPing in the New Year, though. I've finished project #2:

So in less than a week, I've increased my sock wardrobe by 2 pair. Not too shabby.

Saturday Sampler: Round the Virtual Neighborhood

You've knit your fingers to the bone, it's 3 days 'til Christmas, and you still don't have gifts for everyone? Take a break from knitting (no, really!) and pop into the kitchen. Here are some last minute gift ideas that come out of the oven, not off your needles:

 Nutella Booze Balls. Coat with whatever you have on hand!

Samoas Bark. SAMOAS!

Know a baker or bread lover? Sourdough starter! 

(That link even includes the cute labels.)

Cranberry jam! Easy to make with a bag of cranberries. 

Or jam and can berries you froze over the summer.

Homemade mulling spices.Yum.

Homemade caramels! I made these as office gifts this year.

Now, how to wrap them all up?

 Martha Stewart has some great ideas and templates, of course.

And check out these amazing FREE gift tags, labels and other printables from LollyChops!

Pattern Debut: Hard Candy Christmas ornaments

If your Christmas tree needs a handknit touch this holiday season, you're in luck:

These darling little candies knit up quickly, using leftover sock yarn, and they're easy to customize: bigger, smaller, striped, plain, round or square, plenty of options to liven up your holiday decor.

You could also use them to pretty-up your gift wrap or personalize holiday cards. Attach them to plain stockings to dress them up. Wear them as earrings.

Just kidding on that last one. Please don't.

A set of these ornaments would make a lovely gift for friends and family, and with ten days to go until Christmas, you have time!

Go ahead and download the pattern now!